Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #203, 8912-156 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5R 5Z2
February XVIIth, MMX
Hon. David G. Hancock, QC, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Edmonton-Whitemud
Dear David:
I think the real way to increase attendance in the Northland School District is to create interactive cultural days for the students. Realizing that they to a point feel that their culture is being destroyed, you must like a fire under them & make them feel emotionally well again.
What I propose David is that you start having pow wows, rainmaker rodeos including rain dances, sweat & healing lodges, etc right on the campus buildings. If the kids, especially High School kids see that their cultural traits & religions are being respected. They will in turn respect the school system more.
The point here is David you could extend out Credits to these kids for participating in cultural events that are part of their aboriginal identity. Make being native or metis exciting for them again. If aboriginal kids feel that wow, I can get Credits just for learning about things from my teachers & elders about being themselves, they'll come & participate. Thinking hey what a great scam this is, I get Credit for learning about stuff I am very interested in.
As always David, make the courses truly interactive. Put them up on the web as part of the Alberta Government's E-Classroom so that all children can take expanded Aboriginal Ceremonies Studies. Plus, be inviting of the parents to participate & perhaps get Credits themselves. Thus more revenue for the Province. David, I & I am sure that other Albertans would be so excited about this cultural set of ideas, that I would consider even moving to a Reserve or Aboriginal cultural setting to get Credits & immerse myself in this rich mosaic of people.
Lets get people excited again about education David. Lets get aboriginal & all Albertans thrilled to be going to & staying in school. By setting up these courses, things can only get more positive for them all.
Regards David & Happy Ash Wednesday,
Rory
Soure: Northland School District #61.
Don't you think they probably do that kind of thing anyway? Surely the problem is to get the students to pursue things that they aren't necessarily ordinarily interested in,i.e. academic studies.
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